2011 RAV4 vs. 2010 Honda CR-V

2011 RAV4 vs. 2010 Honda CR-V

As a Toyota dealer it is always important to understand where you or your competition have an edge over one another. Toyota provides some great material for dealerships, and we want to share the wealth of knowledge. We will be providing information for our customers to learn about different vehicles. If you have questions about any specific vehicle comparisons, please let us know – and if it is available, we will get it posted for you here!

No question, RAV4 and CR-V go head-to-head in the compact crossover SUV market. Customers think of them as direct competitors, and indeed their basic specifications are similar. Just as importantly, shoppers have high confidence in both Honda and Toyota, so for some prospects, it’s a heads-or-tails decision.

Of course it’s not that simple. Honda added power and features in 2010, but Toyota is countering in the 2011 model-year with the RAV4 Upgrade Value Package. It offers features that put it on par with the CR-V EX, but at a lower MSRP. So along with all the other advantages RAV4 has over CR-V, the RAV4 can now compete with Honda’s mid-grade EX model. And for sure, value always sells

Honda offers three grades of CR-V. All are available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive. Here’s a look at some of the major features of each CR-V grade. RAV4’s new Upgrade Value Package offers features that put it on par with CR-V EX, but at a lower MSRP.

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More torque with less revs
When comparing four-cylinder engines, RAV4 pulls ahead by having both greater displacement and more torque. And since it requires less revving to make its peak horsepower and torque, RAV4 offers great throttle response.

RAV4 2.5L 4-cylinder

CR-V EX 2.4L 4-cylinder

RAV4 Advantage

Horsepower @ rpm

179@6000

180@6800

Torque @ rpm (lb.-ft.)

172@4000

161@4400

11

Good EPA-estimated fuel economy
RAV4’s dual VVT-i technology helps deliver the seemingly impossible combination of a larger, high-torque engine that doesn’t use more fuel than CR-V, according to EPA-estimated fuel-economy ratings.

RAV4 4-cylinder 4WD automatic

CR-V EX 4-cylinder 4WD automatic

EPA-est. fuel econ., city (mpg)2

21

21

EPA-est. fuel econ., hwy (mpg)2

27

27

Lower MSRP1
With its new Upgrade Value Package, the RAV4 grade is specifically targeted at CR-V EX. It offers a long list of features at a price that’s sure to appeal to value-oriented customers.

RAV4 with Upgrade Value Package 4-cylinder 4WD

CR-V EX 4-cylinder 4WD

RAV4 savings

MSRP1

$25,745

$25,875

$130

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More Room for Passengers and Cargo
Not only does the RAV4 have more overall interior space, it also has more cargo space behind the second-row seats. And that’s where most customers need space.

Available Third-Row Seating
If five-passenger seating just isn’t enough, it’s great to know RAV4 has an available third row, for a seven-passenger capacity CR-V can’t touch.

RAV4

CR-V

Third-row seating

Available on RAV4 grade and Limited

Not available

Maximum seating

7

5

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Longer wheelbase
RAV4 sits on a longer wheelbase than CR-V, which may help explain its controlled, comfortable ride.

RAV4

CR-V

Wheelbase (in.)

104.7

103.1

Tighter turning circle
Despite its longer wheelbase, RAV4 actually has a turning circle tighter than CR-V. This contributes to RAV4’s great maneuverability.

RAV4

CR-V

Turning circle (ft.)

34.8

37.8

Traction advantage
RAV4 4WD and CR-V 4WD both come with traction control, but Toyota goes one step further and adds a four-wheel-drive “Lock” feature on 4WD. These are traction features a CR-V driver can’t count on.

RAV4

CR-V

Four-wheel-drive “Lock” feature

Standard

Not available

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Available backup monitor
Only the most expensive EX-L grade CR-V has a backup monitor as an option, and only when bundled with the available nav system. On the other hand, it’s available on all RAV4 grades.

RAV4

CR-V

Backup Monitor

Available

Available on EX-L with nav

One-touch fold-flat second-row seating
It’s easy to expand RAV4’s cargo capacity because the rear seatback folds in a single step. CR-V uses a more cumbersome two-step process to fold its seatbacks.